Holster Lessons Learned Expensively

Hi ChiefStealth,

I'm glad hat you were able to find holsters you need at prices within your budget.

One benefit of the 'net is it allows us to shop throughout the nation. One vendor I use will price match.

If I were to carry every day, I'd probably go with a custom made holster crafted to my exact specifications. But then again, Galco Avenger does work well for me. I also own a Galco pancake that I really like.

I will always search for bargains. But if I don't need it or if it isn't want I want, it won't be a bargain. It'd wind up with the rest of my holsters that I don't use/have never used.
 
One thing I learned is to not buy a holster for a Colt government 1911 full size that lists about 10 different guns that fit in it. The others may fit, but my 1911 sure don't. I have always had good luck with DeSantis and Bianchi products.
Peace,
gordon
 
I rarely post on forums any more, but this thread by the OP is worthy and it looks like he could use a bit of support for his viewpoint.

I think that readers of his post should recognise the difference between opinion, and experience. Here the OP is citing his experience, which outweighs opinions; because the latter is based on fact and the latter on theory.

For example: how well or poorly a holster works does not depend on the individual; it depends on how well he chose it for where he's going to wear it.

In my experience (not my opinion) as a longtime holster designer/maker, the OP has got it right. The line "I own one custom holster. I cannot say that it's better than a Galco" mirrors a viewpoint I've posted on forums for years.

The bit about the plastic bags is only made necessary by the maker losing his control of his processes; but that's not the OP's fault, is it! And the Walmart belt is only inadequate because the maker has failed to get the c-g right.

On that note: the Askins Avenger. As many will know, John and I created the AA. No, Bruce Nelson didn't, and neither did Milt Sparks. Bruce came up with the trailing slot for his crossdraw which otherwise works poorly at 4:00 carry; and Milt copied the AA a full ten years after we introduced it at Bianchi in 1977 (Sparks in '88). Anyway: it's my view that the one flaw in the AA over the ideal configuration is that it rides too high and therefore is top-heavy. And THAT'S literally why the WalMart belts don't work as well as a gunbelt: the AA needs the support of the stiff belt.

By the way, I developed Aker's Avenger, too. And Galco's! And I've spent so much time refining the Avenger that my current design (not currently available to non-LEOs) carries lower: second finger knuckle just above the belt line. Works great on my Walmart belt because the c-g, and more, are ideal.

Certainly every gunshop I've visited in the USA recently (all southern California) had no knowledge, nor any interest, for making a holster sale. These men (no women) are enthusiasts but not able to speak from long experience like the OP can.

Excellent list from the OP, to which nothing should be subtracted although several things could be added. I've printed it out for my files, it's so good :-)
 
Hi Red. Good to see you in print again.
ISCSYoda I have a couple of left hand holsters but I didn't get them
accidentally. I had another purpose at the time. A right handed shooter
can place a left handed holster between 4 & 5 O'clock, and use an inverted
(Cavalry) draw. It's easy and maybe even a little bit quicker draw.
 
Red, thanks for the info on the Askin's Avenger rigs.
I still have a Bianchi AA from the late 1970's for the 1911; the main attraction was that it rode so high that it was easier for me to conceal under a shorter jacket. I always used a good gun belt and the center of gravity issue was never a problem.
I wore it for years and years, until it got so loose it was more like a bucket.
I've thought about replacing it, but can't find another AA high enough to suit me, including the Galco Avenger.
 
Hi Mr. Nichols,

It's great to hear from the professional who has designed of one of the best concealed carry holsters I've used. The Avenger works well for me with most shirts. I like my Aker as much as my Galco Avengers.

If there were an academy award for concealed holsters, the Avenger would win.

There's no doubt that the original list can be improved. My intent was to save hand gunners grief and money.
 
P-229 said:
I like my Aker as much as my Galco Avengers. If there were an academy award for concealed holsters, the Avenger would win.
Click to expand...

I reckon a Hall of Fame for holster designs would be a super idea. In my view beginning with the earliest Myres Threepersons for the FBI (1939) and his competitors including Heiser's 457.

I'd add to your list, something that would address Lobo's frustration with consumers: "tell me exactly what you want to carry, and exactly where you want to carry it." I don't reckon the person's physique is much of a variable unless there's an extreme of pistol size involved vs where the buyer wants to carry. Then a very big man can carry a very big pistol just about anywhere on his very big frame.

Here's a pic that shows a comparison of the various Avengers we've mentioned. I don't have an Aker, so I should call my old friend Kamuran and ask him for one :-). Notice the significant difference in ride height among them. It took me a LONG time to work out why so many posts on the various forums touted stiff belts: needed when the C-G is too high.

IMG_1541.JPG

IMG_1546.JPG

The rear view is to show how differently various makers have addressed this problem; which is to make an Avenger carry as well as a pancake but without the width.

Be aware of how the Sparks is an exact copy (except for the metal inside the mouth which is entirely without merit, and can crush to prevent holstering) of the Bianchi and how different mine is from them.

And if forum members know what the Nelson crossdraw looks like, how only the Galco is configured to carry similarly. Neither of the latter can conceal unless carried crossdraw, or so-called appendix (1:00).

IMG_1542.JPG

IMG_1543.JPG

I've better pics of my Avenger but don't include it because I wouldn't want the forum moderator to get the wrong idea :-).
 
Last edited:
All good advice. I'll add a few lessons I've learn about holsters.

Don't ever store blued guns in a holster for extended periods of time. It will eventually absorb into the finish and cause wear spots.

Kydek and blued guns do not go well together. If it all possible go with lined kydek or leather.

You can use Renaissance Wax on holsters too.

Choice of belt is just as important as holster.

Good holsters have great resell value.
 
.357 -RevolverGuy,

Great advice. Since this thread is about our helping each other, anyone who has experience, please share it. I might buy another holster for my "J" Frame Model 60. But I'd rather carry my P-229 or a 1911. BTW, I have a holster that I've bought for my Model 60 some 30+ years ago. Yep, it's one I shouldn't have bought.
 
Hi Mr. Nichols,

Thanks so much for sharing. To the discerning eye, a great holster is a work of art.

I completely agree with Lobo and you about consumers and the public at large. I was called to a woman's house for a keep the peace, child custody exchange. I saw what appeared to be cocaine residue on her coffee table. I asked her about it. She said to the effect, "Oh, I didn't call you here for that. I called you here for a custody exchange." Apparently she didn't know that when she calls cops she'll get cops who will perform as cops.

There is a compromise with mass produced holsters. I'm good with that as long as they'll perform within the realm of reason and they're of decent quality. While I can carry a gun anytime I want and where I want, I can't tell you the last time I have had a gun on me. It's good to be retired. It's not good to have my tail feathers pointed at the moon. There are far too many whack jobs running around America. What I fear more than ISIS is a Black Panther sneaking up on a cop to murder him and my seeing it yet not being armed to prevent it.

Were I to carry every day and everywhere, I'd have a professional craft a holster for either my P-229 or a 1911.

Stay safe,

P-229

P.S. Did Chopper Read die? I could swear that he did about a year ago. He was one very bad dude. He wasn't bad at capitalism either ;-)
 
Lot's to argue/agree with here. Great thoughts OP. The only thing I may add is the quality of the belt that carries the holster. I have found for me, the stiffer the better and I spare no expense when it comes to gunbelts.


BTW P229, just bought a M11-A1 and really enjoying that pistol.
 
I've found that my holsters followed a parallel line with my hand guns pretty much. ( And other purchases in life...house,car, etc.)
It took me a little while to learn, find and afford the truly quality things that work and last.
It's usually an expensive journey that would have been cheaper if quality was purchased the first time around.
Is that this 'wisdom with age' thing?
I just wish I had done so and enjoyed the good things for a little longer.
Oh well, at least I've pretty much corrected my mistakes by now.
I hope that doesn't mean my time is about up!
 
Great OP. I agree with just about everything said. However, I've found that Mitch Rosen and Milt Sparks holsters are better than Galco holsters. For example, I have a Rosen Express pancake, a Galco Combat Master, and a Galco Concealable all for my G26. The Rosen works best for me. It carries tighter and prints less, it has the right amount of cant, and it has the right size belt openings. It was also less expensive than the Galco's. Leather quality is as good or better too. Wish I had ordered the Rosen first.
 
Good Morning, gnystrom,

Amen to a great gun belt. I own two dedicated gun belts: a 1.5" for urban carry from The Belt Man & a 1.75 from Bullhide Belts for hunting & fishing. Both are .25" thick. A sturdy gun belt makes carrying a whole lot easier. My fishing & hunting belt allows me to carry a lot of gear such as a knife, water bottle, cartridge carrier, and everything else with a belt clit or loop. While I'm actually hunting, I never carry a handgun. As we know, at Rocky Mountain altitude, a sandwich is heavy.
 
Good Morning, Rock_Castle,

Rosen crafts excellent holsters. While on the far opposite side on the price continuum of the less expensive holsters, they are quality all the way. I do like then a lot.
 
I've enjoyed this discussion on holster wearing and purchasing. Great input! I can buy about any holster I want at this point in time. In the 1970s as a young Deputy Sheriff holsters were hard to come by for monetary reasons. My dilemma was and is I'm a lefty and finding used quality holsters are hard to find. I'm learned to hang onto them whether good or bad. Takes a long time to get one.

As a kid learned this with baseball gloves. Local sports outlet had 20 copies of a Duke Snider glove, all in right hand. Left hand it will be 6 to 8 weeks. Same rule generally applies to leather gear for firearms!
 
Thanks for all the advice from a concealed carry newbie. You gave us a lot to think about. As they say in Maine, "Experience is the best teacher."

I've bought the "online deals" for my new snubby, but the giveaway from the gun shop that came with the gun was the best. Then I bought a more expensive pocket carry holster from Amazon and it is far and away the best concealment holster I have, but it doesn't work for all my "pockets". (shallow and rounded vs deep and squared off, etc.)

So I'm trying my hand at making my own custom holster. Jury's still out on that one. ;)

Glad I found this post though. Wisdom is where you find it.
 
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